I Won - and I Like Winning!

Yay!  I won my first blog giveaway.  Is it wrong that I like winning?  It's fun to "play", but it's more fun to "win." I admit, I like giving gifts, but I like receiving gifts, too!  Is that selfish?  I especially love surprises.  Well, here's my surprise winnings:

An adorable, super-sized, personalized market tote from Amy of The Preppy Pink Olive and Oliv'e Limited:

And a personalized mirror:

Thanks Amy!

Painted Tin

A painted tin, filled with goodies (popcorn, candies, small toys) makes a lovely gift.  This is what Annie created for me for Christmas last year.  She spent many hours painting the seasons on it and filled it with my favorite candy bars!

Are You Tired of My Fall Pictures?

Sigh, as I struggle under a mound of satin and bejeweled organza (pictures by the weekend) on this rainy and dreary day, my kids and I lament the ending of this beautiful fall we've had.  The brilliant sun, the long shadows, the days outside on the swing...all coming to a close.

I love looking out my front window at the lone tree whose fiery leaves will remain long after the first snow flies.

And here is a hut my kids are building out of the tall grasses that are like bamboo in the back.  Will they finish before the weight of the snow crushes it?

Cute Scarecrow!

I saw this scarecrow while stopped at a red light (I was a passenger!) and had to catch it - how creative!

Amy Butler Patchwork Handbag

I have owned Amy Butler's "In Stitches" for some time now and thought it would be fun to try a quilted box bag.

I selected the "Patchwork Handbag With Zipper Charm".  I thought it would be a good use of scraps and a fun first quilting project.  The project requires a number of pieces of main fabric, lining, backing fabric and batting.  The main pieces and lining could be cut from 1/2 yard or less of fabric.  I had the luxury of selecting color coordinated scraps from the scrap bin at Contemporary Cloth.  But you could use your stash or try  your luck with one of the scrap bags.

The pattern is written in a very descriptive style.  I stumbled during the quilting section because I did not understand that an entire piece was quilted and then cut in two for the two sides.  I had started by cutting out the dimensions listed in the book, things did not add up and I set the bag aside, convinced I would not finish it.  I later decided to simply make horizontal strips. It's not as visually interesting, but it was simpler for this first-time quilter.  (You'd never know that I completed three years of college-level math, including differential equations!)

The pattern calls for making a cardboard insert for the bottom of the bag.  I simply couldn't see how this would make the bag sturdy enough - at least for my taste.  So when making the lining, I attached Timtex, a fairly sturdy sew in stabilizer, that is great for bags and totes.  This added wonderful shape to the bag - so much so that I did not need to add the cardboard.  Even after adding my wallet and several other items the bag held its shape.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the bag.   I learned how to make a box-shaped bag.  And next time, I will be a bit more adventurous in my quilting!

I Finished Some Knitting!

I am so happy with these socks.  Not because they are a great work of art, but because they make the third pair of hand knit socks in my drawer!  I admire the sock knitters of the world who can crank out a pair a week.  I'm not capable of that but I so so so love my wool socks!  I feel like such a granny.  Even when we are going out on the town or getting dressed up for a wedding, I find myself wishing I could wear socks and not some awful pair of trouser socks or hose.  (I usually do opt for some kind of dressier sock rather than hose when I wear pants.)  Warm feet = warm body.

These socks are made from Red Heart "Heart & Sole" purchased from Herrschner's.

This photo's for Marie, who thought my first photo of this sock (posted on Ravelry) was taken overlooking my back yard.  I only wish my back yard was the Atlantic Ocean!  No, this is my back yard.  Pleasant enough, but truly my husband's domain.  (I'm a city girl.)

Here's one last photo of our quiet back yard.  Soon, you will see something amazing in all that empty space.  Stay tuned!

Painted Wooden Letters

Inspired by some fantastic Etsy artisans, Annie and I scooped up some .50 letters at Joann's a couple of weeks ago.  Annie went to town with acrylic paints and we have a defining theme for our craft room/office.

I think this would make a great gift for someone.  You could simply give a monogram letter or even give the letter and some paint as a DIY kit, as we did for  a recent 13 year old birthday party.